Introduction
Degenerative spondylolisthesis (dSpl) can lead to various
symptoms, including low back pain. Lumbar facet joint orientation
has been reported to be associated with the development
of dSpl. The role of ethnicity regarding facet joint
orientation remains uncertain. As such, the following study
was performed across a wide-ranging population base to
assess the role of ethnicity in facet joint orientation in patients
with dSpl in the Asia Pacific region.
Materials and Methods
A multinational, multiethnic cross-sectional image-based
study was performed in 34 institutions in Asia Pacific, identifying
448 cases. Lateral standing X-rays and axial MRIs and/or
CT scans were obtained for patients with lumbar dSpl. Magnitude
of slip displacement, level of dSpl, and left/right facet
joint angulation, width-curvature ratio, and gap width were
noted on image assessment. Facet joint measurements were
performed at each level from L3-S1. Gender, age, BMI, and
ethnicity were also noted.
Results
The study included 389 patients with known ethnic origin
(mean age: 61.4 years; 36.7% males, 63.3% females). The mean
BMI was 25.6 kg/m2. The level of dSpl was most prevalent at
L4/L5 (72.4%). There were 28.8% Indian, 28.5% Japanese, 17.5%
Chinese, 8.2% Korean, 6.2% Thai, 4.6% Caucasian, 2.3% Filipino,
2.3% Malay, and 1.3were of mixed Asian origin. Accounting for
patient demographics and displacement, there was a statistically
significant difference between ethnicity to that of left/
right facet joint angulations, width-curvature ratios, and gap
widths from L3-S1 between specific ethnic groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
This is the largest study to address the role of ethnicity upon
lumbar facet joint orientation in dSpl. Ethnicity plays a role in
facet joint orientation and may influence the occurrence and
severity of dSpl or be a potential consequence. An understanding
of ethnic variability may be one factor which assists in identifying those patients at risk of postsurgical development
or progression of dSpl.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by AOSpine Asia Pacific.
Disclosure of Interest
None declared

Description

Conference theme: The Intervertebral Disc - from Degeneration to Therapeutic Motion PreservationThe abstract can be viewed at http://www.spineresearchforum.org/WFSR_2014_Thieme_AbstractBook_with_Cover.pdf

The abstract can be viewed at http://www.spineresearchforum.org/WFSR_2014_Thieme_AbstractBook_with_Cover.pdf

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dc.description.abstract

Introduction
Degenerative spondylolisthesis (dSpl) can lead to various
symptoms, including low back pain. Lumbar facet joint orientation
has been reported to be associated with the development
of dSpl. The role of ethnicity regarding facet joint
orientation remains uncertain. As such, the following study
was performed across a wide-ranging population base to
assess the role of ethnicity in facet joint orientation in patients
with dSpl in the Asia Pacific region.
Materials and Methods
A multinational, multiethnic cross-sectional image-based
study was performed in 34 institutions in Asia Pacific, identifying
448 cases. Lateral standing X-rays and axial MRIs and/or
CT scans were obtained for patients with lumbar dSpl. Magnitude
of slip displacement, level of dSpl, and left/right facet
joint angulation, width-curvature ratio, and gap width were
noted on image assessment. Facet joint measurements were
performed at each level from L3-S1. Gender, age, BMI, and
ethnicity were also noted.
Results
The study included 389 patients with known ethnic origin
(mean age: 61.4 years; 36.7% males, 63.3% females). The mean
BMI was 25.6 kg/m2. The level of dSpl was most prevalent at
L4/L5 (72.4%). There were 28.8% Indian, 28.5% Japanese, 17.5%
Chinese, 8.2% Korean, 6.2% Thai, 4.6% Caucasian, 2.3% Filipino,
2.3% Malay, and 1.3were of mixed Asian origin. Accounting for
patient demographics and displacement, there was a statistically
significant difference between ethnicity to that of left/
right facet joint angulations, width-curvature ratios, and gap
widths from L3-S1 between specific ethnic groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
This is the largest study to address the role of ethnicity upon
lumbar facet joint orientation in dSpl. Ethnicity plays a role in
facet joint orientation and may influence the occurrence and
severity of dSpl or be a potential consequence. An understanding
of ethnic variability may be one factor which assists in identifying those patients at risk of postsurgical development
or progression of dSpl.
Acknowledgments
This study was funded by AOSpine Asia Pacific.
Disclosure of Interest
None declared

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dc.language

eng

en_US

dc.publisher

Georg Thieme Verlag. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.thieme.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1351&category_id=90&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53